Columnists

Representing quite well

Local athletes making it big at college, pro level

Section III’s athletes are going after state championships this week, from boys lacrosse in Pittsford to baseball in Binghamton to girls lacrosse at Cortland to softball at Queensbury to track and field at Middletown to girls golf at Delhi. They do so amid a year where, everywhere you look, from the college to professional ranks, local athletes are seizing their moments in the spotlight and shining brightly.

From the legislature: War Memorial’s Honor Wall pays tribute to vets

Citizens that have served our country in the military are deserving of, at the very least, recognition. To serve your country during perilous times is a great honor and a great sacrifice. The Oncenter War Memorial Arena is more than a place where the Syracuse Crunch play hockey, it is a living memorial to those that have served, and in some cases, those that have given their lives for our freedom. It is important to honor the individuals that have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Column: Outside the (what?) box

Now and again someone, a reader, will ask me, “Where do you get your ideas? How do you decide what to write about?” I have learned to respond, “Why, I don’t really know,” but my true response is “What do you mean?” translated as in, “I don’t understand, they are what I think about?” or “I just write down my thoughts. Anyone can do that.”

Column: Not a Pleasant Sight for Sore Eyes

It is spring, finally, and there is plenty to comment upon, but I find one issue keeps jumping to the forefront. On a recent weekend when the weather was beautiful, I walked from the Highbridge Road end of the Village south towards the swan pond and back. I started thinking “It is time to update my Facebook photos;” since I did not have my camera with me, I walked with an eye to view what pictures I would want to take the next time I had my camera.

A role model departs

Long-time Buffalo sports journalist served as my role model

Something really stopped me last week. Not the occasion of a birthday, for there’s one of those every year and it always happens to fall during a busy time where there’s little chance to really kick back and enjoy things, not with the deluge of games, tournaments and meets to keep up with.

Riding the 43rd parallel

Descriptions of Manlius, NY on the Internet include the information that the village is located at Latitude 43. 0 degrees, North, and Longitude - 76.1 degrees West. What is the importance of this? Very little probably, unless you are a geographer or navigating with a GPS.

Raising awareness about autism

It is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that autism has risen to one in every 88 births in the United States. In order to raise awareness about the programs and services available to families affected by autism, the New York State Senate has commemorated April 2013 as Autism Awareness Month.

The Locker Room, Unlocked

The story I am about to tell is very difficult in the sense that the main character may seem to be exposed as a complete idiot. Such is far from my intent and, as a true story, my purpose in relating it here is to demonstrate the kindness of others, the irony and absurdity of life at times, and the ignition of gratitude. In fact, it is an illustration of gratitude in the making.

Stirpe to host volunteer fair this May

Volunteering is an important part of what makes our community such a great place to live. Donating your time can sometimes be more valuable than simply donating money. When you volunteer, you are spending time enriching the lives of those less fortunate in our community.

Just like the rest...but not like the rest

SU basketball reflects best, worst parts of college game

So what is Syracuse University basketball, circa 2013? The Orange’s run to the Final Four in Atlanta has evoked a whole lot of examination of what’s gone right and what’s gone wrong here. It’s also evoked the usual amount of journalistic opportunism - some of it legitimate, some of it not.

Celebrating the Welsh

Life in Central New York is incredibly rich, as only someone who moved here as an adult can appreciate. The history, landscape, and people offer diversity that is rare, if not unique. Over the forty plus years I have lived in Central New York, I have become increasingly aware of the presence of Welsh communities, primarily to our East – in Oneida and Herkimer counties.

April is Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month. This month-long observation aims to educate the public about autism and the many services available to help the 1.5 million American individuals and families dealing with this developmental disorder. There’s a growing incidence of autism spectrum disorders across the state and across the country, and we need to ensure we’re making the proper accommodations for those individuals. This month draws needed public attention to a serious and often under-treated condition.

Belief and the Heart

Recently at a program at St. David’s of DeWitt church, I viewed a video series by poet and author, Kathleen Norris, where she and others discuss the role of religion (in this case, Christianity) in their lives. The first discussion is titled, “The Importance of Belief,” which only lightly touched on the origins of the word “believe.” I must needs to pursue this further, I thought, as you who know me would guess.

Call Holding

A review of "The Call"

Serial killing is a touchy business. Especially in today’s age with all that modern technology that makes it harder and harder to get away without getting caught..

The three other patron saints

St. Patrick’s Day is now behind us, and I would like to consider the other patron saints of the British Isles: St. George (England), St. Andrew (Scotland), and St. David (Wales). 0f these, St. David as the patron saint of Wales, joins Patrick in being celebrated on a day set aside in March – March first.

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